The GTCW goes out to consultation on its Code of Professional Conduct and Practice

The General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) is encouraging teachers, unions and the general public to feedback on its proposed Code of Professional Conduct and Practice that will be unveiled for the first time on 20 October 2009.

The code, which outlines the conduct, practice and behaviour expected of registered teachers in Wales, is an evolution of the current guidelines that already exist – and the GTCW wants the teaching profession, unions, key stakeholders, parents and the wider general public to help shape it during a three month consultation period.

Gary Brace, chief executive of GTCW, said: “Teachers are important role models in our society and hold an influential and responsible position. The revised code aims to bring clarity and understanding for teachers so they know the minimum standard of behaviour expected of them.

“The new code also puts the welfare of children first by setting out clear boundaries of appropriate / inappropriate professional conduct and practice for registered teachers. It will also provide transparency and clarity to the general public of the type of behaviour expected of those in the profession.

“None of this is new, and the code is simply an evolution of what already exists. Yet, before it is finally established, we would welcome feedback so we can take on board the views of those who have an involvement and interest in the teaching profession.”

In Wales, the first professional code for teachers was agreed in January 2002 following a period of consultation. A revised code was agreed in January 2006 and incorporated into two documents called Statement of Professional Values and Practice and Professionalism in Practice. This will now be revised into one readable document called A Code of Professional Conduct and Practice.

Over the next three months, every registered teacher in Wales will receive information about the revised code with GTCW’s publication Teaching Wales and are invited to respond with their thoughts. The code will also be on the GTCW website (www.gtcw.org.uk) from 20 October so members of the public can feedback with their thoughts and will be sent directly to key stakeholder groups such as teacher unions, Local Education Authorities and Initial Teacher Education & Training (ITET) institutions. In addition, GTCW will collect qualitative feedback by hosting three focus groups in south, north and mid Wales with a cross range of teachers from the profession.

The revised code will bring the profession up to similar standards of others who have an important role to play in society such as nursing and midwifery, dentists and doctors who are each regulated by their own respective codes.

The code will also bring consistency with teaching in other countries as GTCW is currently the only teaching council in the UK and Ireland with disciplinary responsibilities that does not have a code that sets out minimum standards for the regulation of the profession.

Gary Brace continued: “A key part of GTCW’s role is to support teacher professionalism and to promote the highest standards of processional practice and conduct in the public interest, and there was always an expectation in legislation that a code would be introduced.

“Teachers have always had advice on the expected standards and much of the information and advice is not new. The new proposed code simply makes it even clearer for teachers about what the minimum standards of behaviour are, and it has been updated in line with technological advances, such as texting and the use of social networking sites.

“The code takes a common sense approach when it comes to outlining what behaviour is expected from teachers and does not seek to place unreasonable expectations or burdens on them – either in their professional or private life.

“The vast majority of teachers understand this and have never been in front of a disciplinary hearing. In fact, in my experience, the group who has the highest expectation of teachers – is teachers themselves!

“It is important to emphasise that nothing has yet been decided and I would encourage everyone to go onto our website and have their say ahead of the closing date on 31 January 2010.”

The public consultation on the General Teaching Council for Wales proposed Code of Professional Conduct and Practice code starts on 20 October and runs until 31 January 2010. To have your say, visit here.